At Edge, a low client to advisor ratio allows for personal and customized service for each individual. Our goal is to work as a team for each client to provide not only portfolio management but wealth coordination and financial planning. We make every effort to have frequent communication with our clients and to provide timely response to calls and emails. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and three kids, playing and following basketball, playing golf, and participating as an advisory board member for Breakthrough Urban Ministries.

Consumer Spending Trends: Candy Sales a Sweet Start for Easter

Easter spending is expected to reach almost $16 billion this year, according to consumer spending trends tracked by the National Retail Federation. One-eighth of this will be spent on Easter candy. The NRF forecasts that nine in ten Easter shoppers will spend $2.2 billion on sweet basket (and stomach) stuffers.

The National Confectioners Association is equally optimistic. The organization reports that 83 percent of parents plan to include candy and chocolate in their family’s Easter baskets, while eight-in-ten respondents said they share or gift candy to get Easter off to a sweet start.

Across age groups, Easter celebrants over 60 have the most fondness for jelly beans (24 percent), while Gen-Xers and late Baby Boomers are most prone to the chocolate bunny (29 percent). Millennials are torn between the chocolate bunny and Cadbury eggs (24 percent each)

The best way to eat a bunny? Nine-in-ten said proper chocolate bunny eating etiquette is to start with the ears. Six percent start with the feet, while 5 percent begin with the tail.

Jelly beans are no slouch in the Easter demand department. More than 16 billion are made for the holiday each year in the United States. Which flavor is your favorite? The NCA reports that cherry is the most popular jelly bean (24 percent), followed by strawberry (19 percent). Licorice, lemon and grape collectively are enjoyed most by 35% of Americans.

Despite Peeps’ comparatively stale showing in the Millionaire Corner consumer spending trends survey, its own stats are impressive. Peeps manufacturer Just Born reports that Americans will eat more than 600 million Marshmallow Peeps and Bunnies on Easter (each Peep has 32 calories—you do the math). Yellow Peeps are most popular, followed by pink, lavender, blue, and white.

About the Author

Donald Liebenson writes news and features for Millionaire Corner. He has been published in the Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Los Angeles Times, Fiscal Times, Entertainment Weekly, Huffington Post, and other outlets. He has also served as a marketing writer for Chicago-based Questar Entertainment and distributor Baker & Taylor.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, he is married with a college-age son. He also writes extensively about entertainment.